Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies

A list of resources related to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, including the startups in this space.

The Original Bitcoin Whitepaper
Sets out the proposal for Bitcoin as a Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.
It's only 9 pages long but well worth reading as it sets out the mathematical principles of how Bitcoin can be trusted without needing a trusted third party (i.e. traditional financial institution).

BitcoinCore
The open source project which maintains and releases the Bitcoin client software, called Bitcoin Core.

Bitcoin.org
The first Bitcoin website, managed by the Bitcoin core developers. This provides an introduction, FAQ and resources for Bitcoin.

Lightning | @lightning
An open protocol layer that leverages the power of blockchains and smart contracts to make cheap, fast, private transactions available to anyone around the world.
The Lightning network will be used to increase the speed of Bitcoin transactions.

Circle.com
Consumer finance company focused on transforming the world economy with secure, simple, and less costly technology for storing and using money. They're excited about Bitcoin and digital currency.

Bitcoin Price

Bitcoin Notes

About Public and Private Key Pairs

A public-key cipher has a pair of keys for sending messages. Both the keys in the pair belong to the person receiving the message. One key is a public key and may be given to anybody. The other key is a private key and is kept secret by the owner. A sender can encrypt a message using the public key and once encrypted, only the receiver with the private key is able to decrypt it.

A document's digital signature is the result of applying a hash function to the document.

Key tampering is a major security weakness with public-key cryptography.

Storing Bitcoins Locally

Technically you don't store bitcoins anywhere, what you store are the keys used to access your public bitcoin addresses and sign transactions. This information is stored in a Bitcoin wallet.

Types of Bitcoin Wallet

Online wallet - This is a service provided to you by another party, and stores your private keys online. This has the convenience factor of being a service provided to you, i.e. you don't have to take care of all the technical aspects of running a Bitcoin wallet yourself. Being online, it also offers convenient access. However, technically someone else is in charge of your private keys, which means you aren't in ultimate control of your Bitcoins.